The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

You??? Browbeaten??? How does that happen, FL?

SR, you’ll find out about all the dirty dealings, egos that have to be handled with kid gloves, and other crazy antics I’ve had to deal with as your Fearless Leader in my latest book hitting stands in June. It’s called, “Bass Player Confidential: Secrets From the Combo Club!”

Does that answer your question, SR?

 

[iagtrplyr]

SR, you’ll find out about all the dirty dealings, egos that have to be handled with kid gloves, and other crazy antics I’ve had to deal with as your Fearless Leader in my latest book hitting stands in June. It’s called, “Bass Player Confidential: Secrets From the Combo Club!”

Does that answer your question, SR?

Or...the members weren’t buying that the Positive Grid combo was that big a deal. Either one.

 

[Recon1342]

Let’s try this again...

 

[SoulReflection]

SR, you’ll find out about all the dirty dealings, egos that have to be handled with kid gloves, and other crazy antics I’ve had to deal with as your Fearless Leader in my latest book hitting stands in June. It’s called, “Bass Player Confidential: Secrets From the Combo Club!”

Does that answer your question, SR?

Ah, no, I think I will wait until June, read the reviews and decide if I want to buy it...just like to make informed decisions .

 

[iagtrplyr]

Let’s try this again...
View attachment 3845026

There ya go, R-1342, nice pic! That’s a really nice-looking bass ya got there. Your image allows me to offer you a membership #196 all to yourself. Thanks for showing interest in our club, we’re glad to have you aboard!

 

[minronnee]

OK played this for about an hour.
Please take all this with a grain of salt I know I have a long way to go to sort this out but I wanted to get some info up, because I said I would and I would love to hear others opinions if they get them. Played 2 short scales 1 ESP/Strat with pearly gates humbuckers and 1 Uass.

For Guitar its at least almost as great sounding as my THR was. THE BLUETOOTH is as awesome as I hoped.

Stingray short scale sounds ok and fun to play .... not sure if its in my head but I think it missed a couple notes... prob the effects setting I have or something... gonna take a while to fiddle with the settings... kind of confusing that they copied THR knobs and buttons but everything is just a little out of place ( i keep reaching for the master or output but end up grap everythng else.) plug in the Tmb30 with G&L pickups not prob with lost notes on this bass. Plugged in the Ubass... missed a bunch of notes if I play fast.... prob a setting.. I hope.

I used it as a computer speaker and streamed music from my phone both sounded great.

Overall I'm happy enough so far I may buy another.

oh and the volume doesn't sound like 40 watts to me but I might be comparing it to my buddies 25 watt mesa boogie... but he will have his spark by the end of the week and he has wayy better ears than I do so I will wait to hear his take. But its not as ballsy as my swr.

Having said all that if I can get the settings sorted out it will work for what I need it for and for 224... I sold my used THR for more than enough to cover this so I'm pretty happy for now.

 

[GonePlaid]

Y'all know my #1 Bass is a THUNDERBIRD , which are known to be hard rock/metal basses. Here's a coupla videos to support that theory. I was playing through a Kustom 150 combo bass amp like this:

 

[iagtrplyr]

OK played this for about an hour.
Please take all this with a grain of salt I know I have a long way to go to sort this out but I wanted to get some info up, because I said I would and I would love to hear others opinions if they get them. Played 2 short scales 1 ESP/Strat with pearly gates humbuckers and 1 Uass.

For Guitar its at least almost as great sounding as my THR was. THE BLUETOOTH is as awesome as I hoped.

Stingray short scale sounds ok and fun to play .... not sure if its in my head but I think it missed a couple notes... prob the effects setting I have or something... gonna take a while to fiddle with the settings... kind of confusing that they copied THR knobs and buttons but everything is just a little out of place ( i keep reaching for the master or output but end up grap everythng else.) plug in the Tmb30 with G&L pickups not prob with lost notes on this bass. Plugged in the Ubass... missed a bunch of notes if I play fast.... prob a setting.. I hope.

I used it as a computer speaker and streamed music from my phone both sounded great.

Overall I'm happy enough so far I may buy another.

oh and the volume doesn't sound like 40 watts to me but I might be comparing it to my buddies 25 watt mesa boogie... but he will have his spark by the end of the week and he has wayy better ears than I do so I will wait to hear his take. But its not as ballsy as my swr.

Having said all that if I can get the settings sorted out it will work for what I need it for and for 224... I sold my used THR for more than enough to cover this so I'm pretty happy for now.

Very interesting, m. Thanks for giving us the quick review. My senses tell me it’s a guitar amp first, with what sounds like a great Bluetooth connection for music too. As for bass, I’d like you to you spend a little more time messing with it before deciding one way or another.

If the missing of the notes you mentioned is anything like a poorly-designed octave pedal that mis-tracks, then I’d hold off using it for bass. But for $224, you’d probably be more than happy with what it does do well.

Keep us posted!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Y'all know my #1 Bass is a THUNDERBIRD , which are known to be hard rock/metal basses. Here's a coupla videos to support that theory. I was playing through a Kustom 150 combo bass amp like this:
View attachment 3845083

GP, I’ve listened to Bernie’s Tune, albeit, through my iPhone speakers, but that was a great piece that brought back nice memories for me. Super walking bass line and your solo at the end was great.

Yeah, I always wondered if you knew that the ‘Bird was a rocker’s bass, but you’ve proven that it’s the player, not the instrument that brings the tone. Your bass is you, no doubt.

Be listening to Blue Skies in a bit.

 

[iagtrplyr]

GP, I’ve listened to Bernie’s Tune, albeit, through my iPhone speakers, but that was a great piece that brought back nice memories for me. Super walking bass line and your solo at the end was great.

Yeah, I always wondered if you knew that the ‘Bird was a rocker’s bass, but you’ve proven that it’s the player, not the instrument that brings the tone. Your bass is you, no doubt.

Be listening to Blue Skies in a bit.

Finished listening to Blue Skies, GP, and I have to tell ya, that band cooked. Great group of players. I love it when the director stops to get a drink. Like you folks needed someone upfront anyway. Again, thanks for sharing.

 

[G-Dog]

Y'all know my #1 Bass is a THUNDERBIRD , which are known to be hard rock/metal basses. Here's a coupla videos to support that theory. I was playing through a Kustom 150 combo bass amp like this:
View attachment 3845083

I didn't recognize Bernie's Tune at first, so I skipped on to Blue Skies for its familiarity. Well, that was so good, I went back and Bluetoothed Bernie's Tune into a better system and SO glad I did. Man, that was some serious swing! And the bass solo with a shoutout at the end was the cherry on top!

OUTstanding, Mike! Simply outstanding.
.

 

[GonePlaid]

I didn't recognize Bernie's Tune at first, so I skipped on to Blue Skies for its familiarity. Well, that was so good, I went back and Bluetoothed Bernie's Tune into a better system and SO glad I did. Man, that was some serious swing! And the bass solo with a shoutout at the end was the cherry on top!

OUTstanding, Mike! Simply outstanding.
.

Thanks. It was a lotta fun.

 

[minronnee]

Spark Update:
So I was able to figure out the setting. Honestly the app I have been avoiding using that comes with the amp is just about the easiest app to use out. And to make things more fun once I start using the App I see that I have a ton of options to choose from so I pick the SWR and its pretty close to the sound I like the most. Played it for a bit with the Stingray short scale. No more missed notes. Ill try the UBass tonight after work but im pretty happy with this, well except I can see myself going down the rabbit hole of "whats this amp sound like?" for hours and hours....the more time I get to spend with this little amp the more I like it and am surprised to get so much for not much more than our bose bluetooth speaker. Only sounds better and I can plug bass and guitar into the Spark.

 

[RodRy]

I ordered this on Dec 10 and it finally showed up .I'll play it more tonight after work but here's a few picsView attachment 3844872 View attachment 3844871

Do you mean the amp or the bass? That looks to be one of the new short scale basses, is that true? You may certainly give us a review of both amp and bass here, we won't mind!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Spark Update:
So I was able to figure out the setting. Honestly the app I have been avoiding using that comes with the amp is just about the easiest app to use out. And to make things more fun once I start using the App I see that I have a ton of options to choose from so I pick the SWR and its pretty close to the sound I like the most. Played it for a bit with the Stingray short scale. No more missed notes. Ill try the UBass tonight after work but im pretty happy with this, well except I can see myself going down the rabbit hole of "whats this amp sound like?" for hours and hours....the more time I get to spend with this little amp the more I like it and am surprised to get so much for not much more than our bose bluetooth speaker. Only sounds better and I can plug bass and guitar into the Spark.

It's a big win for ya, minronnee, if you end up enjoying the time spent messing with the amp. There's a point where everyone wants to be a rock star (except GP, he already is) and entertain crowds, but if you think about it, most of our actual playing time is probably at home, trying out different settings in order to create new tones. Don't tell anyone I'm saying this, but I'd venture to guess most of the current Fender Stage/Studio/LT 25 combos are purchased for...fun.

So enjoy yourself and see what you can create for your instruments. If you're happier with it than the Yamaha, which I thought was a pretty good series overall, then your extra-long wait was more than worth it.

 

[RodRy]

Or...the members weren’t buying that the Positive Grid combo was that big a deal. Either one.

Maybe we were just not enthusiastic enough?

 

[iagtrplyr]

Now don't go all cynical on me Dub-R. It's probably just me, but I get excited about new gear when it comes out and lower my doubting eyebrow to give it a fair listen to. This particular one, at least from the video, basically will do everything except wash your car for a little over two bills. It's cheaper than my Fender Bronco was back in 2014 maybe, and has numerous more features to offer.

I think part of the snub by numerous consumers was their way of pre-selling these combos last fall and then getting caught not being ready to deliver within a reasonable time. That's where you saw minronnee mention he waited months and months for it. The scuttlebutt is the company took the pre-sales dollars and then began building the amps. Maybe that's common practice, but it upset many potential customers.

Plus the fact that these types of amplifiers are becoming available from a number of companies, but at this price point as long as it holds up well and develops a following, I think it'd be a great replacement for the Kleenex box sitting on the nightstand.

 

[RodRy]

Now don't go all cynical on me Dub-R. It's probably just me, but I get excited about new gear when it comes out and lower my doubting eyebrow to give it a fair listen to. This particular one, at least from the video, basically will do everything except wash your car for a little over two bills. It's cheaper than my Fender Bronco was back in 2014 maybe, and has numerous more features to offer.

I think part of the snub by numerous consumers was their way of pre-selling these combos last fall and then getting caught not being ready to deliver within a reasonable time. That's where you saw minronnee mention he waited months and months for it. The scuttlebutt is the company took the pre-sales dollars and then began building the amps. Maybe that's common practice, but it upset many potential customers.

Plus the fact that these types of amplifiers are becoming available from a number of companies, but at this price point as long as it holds up well and develops a following, I think it'd be a great replacement for the Kleenex box sitting on the nightstand.

Cynical? Moi??
Perish the thought, sir!

I'm afraid for me, it's just not the sort of thing that fires up my imagination. Now the new Elf 8" combo or a Double4? Those are the ones I really dream of!

Kindly do not construe it as a dis on what others like. I'm happy when a musician has time to explore a new sound or a new toy!

 

[minronnee]

Do you mean the amp or the bass? That looks to be one of the new short scale basses, is that true? You may certainly give us a review of both amp and bass here, we won't mind!

Hi Rodry... I love this bass.... but honestly there is thread that can do a better job than I on explaining it... It is hands down the most comfortable bass I own...
SBMM Stingray Short scale

 

[minronnee]

@ iagtrplyr, I get alot of what you are saying. I go through a lot of gear testing and I keep banging on stuff till I find what works for me... Guitar, Bass Motorcycles etc.... and the wait on this amp was driving me nuts... but it was worth the wait.... the company never planned on selling 42,000.00 of these in a few months so they had a quick learning curve but the end product for the price I cant beat. I loved my THR. was one of the first owners. but always hang onto something SWR in case I need it. and lets not forget the wonderful gift that Covid has givin most companies that have parts coming from overseas.

This liitle amp has soo much going for it and the company seems to have adapted pretty fast when others would have gone away. I want to root for them now that I have the product in my hand. Oh I do miss being able to put batteries in the THR. No batteries on this... Yet.